Envelop.



No. 687,196. Patented Nov. 26, l90l.

c. E. GATHEB.

ENVELDP.

(Application filed Nov. 8, 1900.)

(No Model.)

THE mums PETERS C0,, PHOYO-LITH-O WASHMGTON, DIG.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.CHARLES E. OATHER, OF VVOROESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

ENVELO P.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 687,196, dated November 26, 1901. Application filed November 3, 1900. Serial No. 35,314. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. CATHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Envelops, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same, in which Figure 1 represents a gummed blank from which myimproved envelop is made. Fig. 2 represents the completed envelop. Fig. 3 shows the envelop with the seal-flap attached to the body of the envelop. Fig. 4 represents the envelop with the seal-flap unattached and one of the end flaps extended.

Similar reference-figures refer to similar parts in the different views.

The subject-matter of my-invention consists of an envelop adapted to be sealed by the attachment of its seal-flap to the body of the envelop in the same manner as letter-envelops now in common use and also adapted to be closed with one of the end flaps capable of being withdrawn to afiord access to the envelop without breaking the seal; and my invention consists in providing a gap or ungummed portion at the edge of the sealfiap, by which a space is left between the gummed surface on the opposite sides of the seal-flap, so that in moistening the gummed surface of the seal-flap one or both sides of the seal-flap can be moistened and attached to the body of the envelop, as desired.

In forming my improved envelop I cut the blank in the usual form, preferably that shown in Fig. 1, having the end flaps 1 1*, back flap 2, and seal-flap 3. Gum is applied to one side of the center of the back flap, as indicated by the shaded surface 4, and also to the corresponding side of the center of the seal-flap, as indicated by the shaded surface 5. Upon the opposite side of the center of the seal-flap I apply gum to a limited surface near the end of the envelop, as indicated by the shaded surface 6, leaving a gap or ungummed surface 7 between the gummed surfaces 5 and 6. The envelop is completed by turning in the end flaps 1 1 upon the body 8 of the envelop and turning over the back fiap 2, which becomes attached to the end flap 1 along the gummed surface 4. The seal-flap operation thereby completing is creased on the line 9 during the of folding the envelop,

, the envelop, as represented in Fig. 2. If the envelop is to be sealed for transmission through the mails, the gummed surfaces 5 and 6 are moistened and the seal-flap 3 is folded down and stuck on the end flaps 1 1*, as represented in Fig. 3, thereby preventing the end flap 1 from being withdrawn; but if the envelop is to be transmittedas an unsealed envelop the surface 5 only is moistened, so that when the seal-flap is folded upon the body of the envelop it will become attached to the end flap 1 only, leaving the end flap 1 unattached to either the seal-flap or back flap, affording access to the interior by the withdrawal of the end flap 1 without breaking the seal of the seal-flap 3.

I am aware that it is not new to leave one of the end flaps unattached to the seal and back flaps of the envelop in order to allowit to be withdrawn, and I am also aware that this has been accomplished by providing the seal and back flaps with gum on one side of the center only, so that when the seal and back flaps were stuck down upon the body of the envelop one of the end fla ps would remain free to be withdrawn.

In my improved envelop by the addition of a small gummed surface 6 near the end of the envelop it is optional with the user to send the envelop either sealed or unsealed, allowing the same envelop to be used for both a sealed or an unsealed letter, the gap or ungummed surface 7 permitting the gummed surface 5 to be conveniently moistened without applying moisture to the gummed surface 6.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

As an article of manufacture an envelop, having end flaps 1 and 1, a flap 2 provided with gum on one side only of its center,whereby it is stuck to one of said end flaps, and a flap 3 provided with gummed surfaces 5 and 6 on opposite sides of its center, with an ungummed surface 7lying between said gummed portions 5 and 6, whereby said flap 3 in sealing the envelop may be stuckto either one or to both of said end flaps, substantially as described.

Dated this 29th dayof October, 1900.

CHARLES E. OATHER. 

